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The Sound of Black and White / Raffi Besalyan
Sono Luminus

The Sound of Black and White / Raffi Besalyan

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Details

Composer
GERSHWIN KHACHATURIAN LEVANT
Artist
Raffi Besalyan
Format
CD
Label
Sono Luminus
Released
Aug 06, 2021
Catalog #
DSL-92249
UPC
053479224927

About

This program is a loving tribute to A. Khachaturian, the towering musical figure from my native Armenia and to G. Gershwin, the musical genius from my adopted home, the United States. These two composers are bridged here by the phenomenal pianist/ composer and Hollywood superstar, Oscar Levant. Some of the works on the album have been my loyal recital companions since childhood, the others have become such upon my immigration to America as a young adult. The release includes a world premiere recording of Oscar Levant’s jazzy Sonatina.

REVIEW:

Pianist Raffi Besalyan presents a collection of works from his native Armenia and his adopted U.S, and indeed, he offers vigorous performances of music by Aram Khachaturian and George Gershwin. Most interesting are the points where the two composers meet. Highly newsworthy is the world premiere of the Piano Sonatina by Gershwin specialist Oscar Levanty. The Sonatina has a unique post-Gershwin language and makes one wants to hear more of Levant’s original music. One is left with the impression of an odd kinship between Khachaturian and Gershwin that no one else has quite caught. The presence of some of Earl Wild’s Virtuoso Etudes after Gershwin also works; the pieces bring a bit of the Russian virtuoso school, Besalyan’s specialty, to the proceedings. The whole thing is brilliantly performed and benefits from superb engineering at Sono Luminus’ Virginia studios. A satisfying cross-cultural essay.

-- AllMusic.com (James Manheim)

Tracklist 18 tracks

  1. 1 Masquerade Suite: I. Waltz (arr. for piano) 03:56
    Track
    1
    Title
    Masquerade Suite: I. Waltz (arr. for piano)
    Duration
    03:56
    Composer
    Aram Khachaturian
    Performer
    Raffi Besalyan
  2. 2 Spartacus: Adagio (arr. M. Cameron for piano) 08:33
    Track
    2
    Title
    Spartacus: Adagio (arr. M. Cameron for piano)
    Duration
    08:33
    Composer
    Aram Khachaturian
    Performer
    Raffi Besalyan
  3. 3 I. Allegro giocoso 01:50
    Track
    3
    Title
    I. Allegro giocoso
    Duration
    01:50
    Composer
    Aram Khachaturian
    Performer
    Raffi Besalyan
  4. 4 II. Andante con anima, rubato 03:03
    Track
    4
    Title
    II. Andante con anima, rubato
    Duration
    03:03
    Composer
    Aram Khachaturian
    Performer
    Raffi Besalyan
  5. 5 III. Allegro mosso 03:41
    Track
    5
    Title
    III. Allegro mosso
    Duration
    03:41
    Composer
    Aram Khachaturian
    Performer
    Raffi Besalyan
  6. 6 Gayane: Lullaby (arr. O. Levant for piano) 04:32
    Track
    6
    Title
    Gayane: Lullaby (arr. O. Levant for piano)
    Duration
    04:32
    Composer
    Aram Khachaturian
    Performer
    Raffi Besalyan
  7. 7 I. Con ritmo 03:28
    Track
    7
    Title
    I. Con ritmo
    Duration
    03:28
    Composer
    Oscar Levant
    Performer
    Raffi Besalyan
  8. 8 II. Andantino poco mosso 04:21
    Track
    8
    Title
    II. Andantino poco mosso
    Duration
    04:21
    Composer
    Oscar Levant
    Performer
    Raffi Besalyan
  9. 9 III. Allegro deciso 03:04
    Track
    9
    Title
    III. Allegro deciso
    Duration
    03:04
    Composer
    Oscar Levant
    Performer
    Raffi Besalyan
  10. 10 No. 2. Somebody Loves Me 03:00
    Track
    10
    Title
    No. 2. Somebody Loves Me
    Duration
    03:00
    Composer
    Earl Wild
    Performer
    Raffi Besalyan
  11. 11 No. 7. Fascinatin' Rhythm 01:48
    Track
    11
    Title
    No. 7. Fascinatin' Rhythm
    Duration
    01:48
    Composer
    Earl Wild
    Performer
    Raffi Besalyan
  12. 12 No. 4. Embraceable You 03:17
    Track
    12
    Title
    No. 4. Embraceable You
    Duration
    03:17
    Composer
    Earl Wild
    Performer
    Raffi Besalyan
  13. 13 No. 3. The Man I Love 02:50
    Track
    13
    Title
    No. 3. The Man I Love
    Duration
    02:50
    Composer
    Earl Wild
    Performer
    Raffi Besalyan
  14. 14 No. 1 in B-Flat Major: Allegro ben ritmato e deciso 01:31
    Track
    14
    Title
    No. 1 in B-Flat Major: Allegro ben ritmato e deciso
    Duration
    01:31
    Composer
    George Gershwin
    Performer
    Raffi Besalyan
  15. 15 No. 2 in C-Sharp Minor: Andante con moto e poco rubato 03:34
    Track
    15
    Title
    No. 2 in C-Sharp Minor: Andante con moto e poco rubato
    Duration
    03:34
    Composer
    George Gershwin
    Performer
    Raffi Besalyan
  16. 16 No. 3 in E-Flat Minor: Allegro ben ritmato e deciso 01:20
    Track
    16
    Title
    No. 3 in E-Flat Minor: Allegro ben ritmato e deciso
    Duration
    01:20
    Composer
    George Gershwin
    Performer
    Raffi Besalyan
  17. 17 Rhapsody in Blue (version for piano) 15:41
    Track
    17
    Title
    Rhapsody in Blue (version for piano)
    Duration
    15:41
    Composer
    George Gershwin
    Performer
    Raffi Besalyan
  18. 18 Gayane, Act III: Sabre Dance (arr. O. Levant for piano) 02:24
    Track
    18
    Title
    Gayane, Act III: Sabre Dance (arr. O. Levant for piano)
    Duration
    02:24
    Composer
    Aram Khachaturian
    Performer
    Raffi Besalyan